Comments on: Happy Halloween! (Solar Infographic)

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 17:35:00 +0000

The film to digital transition was also slow to start but pulled off close to a 100% switchover in a decade.

The first phase is slow. People need time to understand new ideas and the ideas need to prove themselves out over a reasonable period. Cost generally are high as producers figure out how to produce for the best price. Then things come together and we’re off!

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 17:24:00 +0000

Yes, what some people miss on that is that the 0-2% period often takes time. For example, Internet started in late 70s and you see nothing until 90-91 where it goes vertical and 50% of world population has it in 10 years. Same with mobile phone, except it goes faster to 80-90% which is likely a closer parallel to PV since I don’t have to be connected for those two.

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 16:16:00 +0000

I like this one. Easier for most people to grasp.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 14:23:00 +0000

Repeat after me, I will not base my beliefs of the future on linear growth from the past. See some nice charts about tech grow. It doesn’t matter if you like/belief the authors future perdictions. Just look at growth patterns from history.
http://www.singularity.com/charts/page17.html

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 03:29:00 +0000

So what? Coal, natural gas and petroleum combined generated the smallest percentage of our electricity since at least 1973 (the furthest back my data goes).

Fossil fuel use is down to about 66% in 2013 vs. 69% is 2012.

Since we’re playing trick or treat and you brought the trick I’ll give out the treat.

First graph – all US renewable contribution to our electricity supply. And since solar is very much in its infancy and hard to see on the first graph – second graph.

eta: Extra first and fourth graph. Disqus does not let one cancel images. Sucks.

By: Others

Others — Fri, 01 Nov 2013 02:33:00 +0000

Here is the Real Halloween Chart.

http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_1_01

Coal consumption for electricity did increase by nearly 6% in the 1st 8 months of this year. Renewable energy also increased by 15%, but still they are far from Coal. Natgas went down because of higher prices compared to last year.